HOW TO switch from IDE to AHCI mode without having to reinstall Win XP (GUIDE)

[wonderwrench]

I wonder why I can't get it to work. The guide is so simple and easy to follow. Copy reg text to text file, change .txt extension to .reg, double click reg file, say yes to prompt. Copy iastor.sys to windows\system32\drivers folder. Reboot change to AHCI mode, save and exit bios, blue screen!

[Jack t.N.]

Hello wonderwrench,

which content did you use for your reg-file?

Have you tried the code provided my monographix?

http://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=106575.msg844741#msg844741

[wonderwrench]

Hello wonderwrench,

which content did you use for your reg-file?

Have you tried the code provided my monographix?

http://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=106575.msg844741#msg844741

That did it! Using the correct reg-file worked. Things work better when you pay attention to what you are doing.
Could the original post be updated so the different reg-files for the different chipsets easily accessible? Giving monographix credit of course.

Some quick testing shows no performance gain by enabling AHCI mode. I did not think it would. Just wanted to see the outcome.

[Jack t.N.]

That did it!

 

Could the original post be updated so the different reg-files for the different chipsets easily accessible? Giving monographix credit of course.

Not a bad idea actually.  Maybe I get to it on the weekend.

[belkin]

Hello,

Is there a guide for Windows Vista SP1?




MSI P35 Platinum edition Core Due 2 Extreme

[vernonion]

Yes, Vista nativly supports AHCI and does not require any additional drivers. Simply change one registry switch then go into bios and turn on AHCI mode. Vista only enables AHCI on Install if the hardware requires it.

[mike1555]

Thanks  Jack the Newbie ,this tutorial solved one (major) problem in 3 minutes ! Great !
Mike

[fraggle]

It works great for me and my P35 Neo2-FR. Very good guide.

THX Jack

[sashabe]

Thanks! Worked beatifully on Asus P5B-E.

[Phatkat]

Hi i am using an AMD 780G mobo - how can i switch to AHCI mode? Thanks in advance to any help rendered 

[Del UK]

Hi i am using an AMD 780G mobo - how can i switch to AHCI mode? Thanks in advance to any help rendered 

Hi,

You will probably be better off, asking in the AMD part of the forum.......

http://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?board=24.0  <--------Link to AMD Forum

[Sukhoi]

sorry if you has answered that problem a lot of times yet, but its difficult to me understand that (and the English too  ).

I have the MSI P35 neo2-FR (ich9r) / e4400 / Win XP SP3. You can say me if the steps which I do are ok?

1- Make the .reg file as the first post explain.

2- Download last version of Intel Matrix Storage from http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=N&ProductID=2101&DwnldID=16012&strOSs=&OSFullName=&lang=spa . It download the file iata82_cd.exe but when I have to install it? now?

If I do it:
3- I suposse it crate the folder \Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\Driver . Then I can find the file iaStor.sys there, and I have to copy it to "Windows\System32\Drivers"

4- Reboot and select in bios AHCI mode.

Those are ok? I have to change anything y the reg file?

thankyou so much

[Del UK]

Open Notepad.

Highlight and copy the text below.

For ICH9

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\CriticalDeviceDatabase\pci#ven_8086&dev_2922&cc_0106]
"Service"="iaStor"
"ClassGUID"="{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor]
"Type"=dword:00000001
"Start"=dword:00000000
"Group"="SCSI miniport"
"ErrorControl"=dword:00000001
"ImagePath"="system32\\drivers\\iaStor.sys"
"tag"=dword:00000019
"DisplayName"="Intel AHCI Controller"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Parameters]
"queuePriorityEnable"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Enum]
"0"="PCI\\VEN_8086&DEV_2922&SUBSYS_B0051458&REV_02\\3&13c0b0c5&0&FA"
"Count"=dword:00000001
"NextInstance"=dword:00000001

Now, save as achi.reg

You have to register the files with the operating system, because you are changing the way the disks are read & written to.

If you follow the instructions on page one of this thread, it will take about 15 minutes to complete.

[Jack t.N.]

2- Download last version of Intel Matrix Storage from http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=N&ProductID=2101&DwnldID=16012&strOSs=&OSFullName=&lang=spa . It download the file iata82_cd.exe but when I have to install it? now?

If I do it:
3- I suposse it crate the folder \Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\Driver . Then I can find the file iaStor.sys there, and I have to copy it to "Windows\System32\Drivers"

You cannot simply execute iata82_cd.exe.  If you do that, it will give you an error message saying that your hardware is not supported (AHCI or RAID mode need to be enabled for the Intel Matrix Storage Manager to be able to be installed). What you have to do before you restart your system and switch to AHCI mode is to extract the actual driver files.  I explained that in my first post as well:

Second Step:

Copy the iaStor.sys-File into the \Windows\System32\Drivers\-Folder if it isn't in there already. 

The file is part of the of the Intel Matrix Storage Manager-Packet (IATA621_CD.EXE) and can be retrieved manually:

\START\Run --> IATA621_CD.EXE -a -a [or in your case: iata82_cd.exe -a -a ]

After entering this command the file should be in the following folder:

...\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\Driver

...and ready to be copied.

[Sukhoi]

yessss.. finally I could!. But following anothers steps: I get the "iaStor.sys" file from another forum and copied it to windows/...../drivers. Then I ran the reg file. Reboot and install iata82_cd.exe..

It worked good, my time boot is much faster than before:

IDE Mode:


AHCI Mode:



Although the boot is quickly, it lose several seconds before the windows screen appear, just waiting something with a "dash" in the up left corner of the screen.
Cheking BIOS I found that option:


what's the meaning of "AHCI CD/DVD boot time out"? Does this relate to what I said above?

Thankyou, that forum is really good

[Del UK]

yessss.. finally I could!. But following anothers steps: I get the "iaStor.sys" file from another forum and copied it to windows/...../drivers. Then I ran the reg file. Reboot and install iata82_cd.exe..

It worked good, my time boot is much faster than before:

IDE Mode:


AHCI Mode:



Although the boot is quickly, it lose several seconds before the windows screen appear, just waiting something with a "dash" in the up left corner of the screen.
Cheking BIOS I found that option:


what's the meaning of "AHCI CD/DVD boot time out"? Does this relate to what I said above?

Thankyou, that forum is really good

That's great news.

Leave the CD/DVD timeout........

The delay, is just the drivers loading for multi - read/write. Nothing to be worried about.

[Killer344]

Well, first, thanks jack, you showed me the path O.O , and second, here´s the reg file needed for the ich10r (the driver is also included).

http://rapidshare.com/files/132943510/Ahci_on_Xp.rar.html


I´ve just tested and it works fine.

[bohdank]

What would be the process for enabling RAID ? I want to, eventually, run RAID 1 on a second and third drive.

[OldMSguy]

Has anyone successfully accomplished the switch for the P45 and ICH10R?

I just built a system with the P45 Neo 3 (MS-7514)

Getting the hot swap capability would make working with my data archive hard drives a lot easier.

Any help with the registry tweaks would be greatly appreciated

[Jack t.N.]

Hello OldMSguy,

the procedure is basically the same as for the other Intel Chipsets (see my first post).  The only difference should be a small variation within the reg-file you have to create. Unfortunately, I do not have the content for ICH10, but for ICH10R only.  I will provide you with the link to a ready-made reg-file that you can try. It may work for ICH10 as well, but I have no way to test it yet, as I do not have an ICH10-Board here:

Direct link to REG-File:  http://www.jzelectronic.de/jz2/Download2/ICH10R-AHCI.reg
Original Context: http://62.109.81.232/cgi-bin/sbb/sbb.cgi?&a=show&forum=1&show=7578&start=0#1
THX @ JZ

Content:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\CriticalDeviceDatabase\pci#ven_8086&dev_3A22&cc_0106]
"Service"="iaStor"
"ClassGUID"="{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor]
"Type"=dword:00000001
"Start"=dword:00000000
"Group"="SCSI miniport"
"ErrorControl"=dword:00000001
"ImagePath"="system32\\drivers\\iaStor.sys"
"tag"=dword:00000019
"DisplayName"="Intel AHCI Controller"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Parameters]
"queuePriorityEnable"=dword:00000000
"BusType"=dword:00000003

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Parameters\Port0]
"AN"=dword:00000000
"LPM"=dword:00000001
"LPMSTATE"=dword:00000000
"LPMDSTATE"=dword:00000001
"GTF"=dword:00000000
"DIPM"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Parameters\Port1]
"AN"=dword:00000000
"LPM"=dword:00000001
"LPMSTATE"=dword:00000000
"LPMDSTATE"=dword:00000001
"GTF"=dword:00000000
"DIPM"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Parameters\Port2]
"AN"=dword:00000000
"LPM"=dword:00000001
"LPMSTATE"=dword:00000000
"LPMDSTATE"=dword:00000001
"GTF"=dword:00000000
"DIPM"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Parameters\Port3]
"AN"=dword:00000000
"LPM"=dword:00000001
"LPMSTATE"=dword:00000000
"LPMDSTATE"=dword:00000001
"GTF"=dword:00000000
"DIPM"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Parameters\Port4]
"AN"=dword:00000000
"LPM"=dword:00000001
"LPMSTATE"=dword:00000000
"LPMDSTATE"=dword:00000001
"GTF"=dword:00000000
"DIPM"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Parameters\Port5]
"AN"=dword:00000000
"LPM"=dword:00000001
"LPMSTATE"=dword:00000000
"LPMDSTATE"=dword:00000001
"GTF"=dword:00000000
"DIPM"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\iaStor\Enum]
"0"="PCI\\VEN_8086&DEV_3A22&SUBSYS_B0051458&REV_01\\3&13c0b0c5&0&FA"
"Count"=dword:00000001
"NextInstance"=dword:00000001

If that does not work for ICH10 please say so.  Maybe we only have to change the vendor ID slightly.

[OldMSguy]

Thanks for the reply Jack.

I do have the ICH10R southbridge, and I followed your guide.

I can't get the AICH to work, and it has nothing to do with your solution, I have another problem.
If I can get past this new problem, I am sure your solution will solve the rest.

There is something not working right with the BIOS and/or CMOS settings.

Anyways, I changed the onboard SATA setting from IDE to AICH, and only had one 60gig SATA drive, attached to port 1 of the
onboard SATA. The JMicron SATA is set to IDE, any other setting, and the machine cannot see my CD/DVD drives on the IDE
Channel. I have tried various combinations of settings involving 1.)boot sequence 2.) onboard SATA, and 3.) the JMicron SATA.

The system sees the 60gig drive at boot, but at the time that it goes to the boot menu, I get this message:

"Reboot and select a proper boot device or insert bootl media in the selected device."

If I reboot, and go back into the CMOS, and change back to IDE for the onboard SATA, Windows XP (SP3 and fully updated, with the registry changes
and driver copy in place, per your guide) boots right up. By the way I'm using "iata82_enu.exe", from the Intel website.

I checked the reviews for the board at Newegg, where I bought it, and it seems that the ver 1.3 BIOS might be problematic.
I have read about that in other forums. I will probably flash back to 1.2 (there were no reviews when I bought the board)

I realize that my problem has nothing to do with directly with this thread, or my initial problem.

However, if anyone following this thread has had a similar issue, or can point me to a source for a detailed explanation of the
AMI BIOS CMOS settings, I might be able to get past this stumbling block.

Once again Jack, thanks for your help, and for staying on top of this thread.
I am sure you have been a great help to a lot of puzzled and frustrated system builders.

[jlodvo]

is thier a guide for p45 platinum and windows xp 64bit?

[jlodvo]

i tried the ich10r reg file now it works but i have something wierd, before i always count the bar flashing left to right when windows starts with then windows logo, my p45 ide mode before was max 4 bars flashing then it loads to windows now when i did this achi mode i get upto 10 flash, its kinda long anyone know why?

and i have doen the achi to ide reg b4 in my other p35 system it has a max of 3.5 flash either in ide mode or in achi

im just wondering why it takes more then twice now to finish the flashing (running bar from left to right) so it basically longer for me now to boot

[jlodvo]

here a little quick test i tried using the windows boot timer

achi mode 52 seconds
ide mode 47.640 seconds

so for me i get faster boot time with ide mode dont know why

[DJRamses]

perhaps i have a other way:


Now go to your Device Manager. Klick on your IDE/ATAPI Controller. Right click on intel(R) XXXXX Bus Master Ide Controller. Klick on Driver update. Let Windows not search!
Klick on Search Driver manually from  a list!... Klick on Drive... search. Go to the place where you the IAstore.inf have placed.
klick OK. Remove the Check at "kompatible Hardware".Now in the List right, chose the right driver. On my (X48C Platinium) it was Intel(R) ICH9R/DO/DH SATA AHCI Controller.
Klick all ok. Ignore possibly warnings incompatible Hardware. Install the Driver. Make a Reboot and jump into Bios.
On integated Peripherals--->On-Chip ATA Devices chose AHCI. Save and exit the Bios and reboot.
Perhaps to make a check that Your Harddrive where the OS is installed, has the first Boot priority.
If necessary re enter Bios and change it.


I have make this way anymore. It works fine.

[Jack t.N.]

 

Damn, that works like a charm.  Works perfectly on a P45 Platinum as well.  Windows XP bootet without problem.   

I wonder why nobody ever thought of that.  Simple and effective.  That once again proves that the simplest solutions are usually the best. 

[straddy]

Ok I followed all the instructions carefully and did everything but I still get BSoD on boot.
Here's what I did:
I created the reg file (I have ICH8 and used the first set of code for ICH8). Double clicked reg file to install to registry.
I extracted the latest iata86_enu.exe, saved iaStor.sys in system32/drivers/
BIOS change from ATA to AHCI.
Boot, BSoD.

I've tried the ICH9 code with no luck.

Note that I have Windows XP on partition E:\, Vista boots on C:\ and is marked as the boot partition. I boot to XP via bootloader.

[Jack t.N.]

What board do you have? What BIOS Version?

[straddy]

Hey, I figured it out.

Jack, your guide is missing a CRITICAL STEP, please update the first page with the following.

Once the intel drivers are extracted you have to do this:

Go to This Computer-> Properties -> Hardware -> Device manager.
Under IDE ATA/ATAPI-Controllers, right-click the first INTEL(R) Controller, and update the driver.
Manually install the driver!! Make sure in every step you choose yourself what drivers to install!!
Browse to the folder where you extracted the intel drivers and install the matching chipset driver.

I think this works for a broader range of boards than simply copying iaStor.sys to drivers.

Thanks!

Btw, I'm on an intel GM965 express chipset. Dell bios A06 :P Boots into Mac OS X Leopard with AHCI lol

[Jack t.N.]

Jack, your guide is missing a CRITICAL STEP, please update the first page with the following.

Actually, it is not.  The step you described is actually part of a different procedure.  This one:

http://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=106575.msg899229#msg899229

[straddy]

Ah ok. I missed it though, which means other readers would probably miss it too. I think the method should be mentioned in the first post for newbies like me.

[Jack t.N.]

I will include a link to that method as soon as I find the time. 

[BTW:  The registry patch method only works if the registry code contains the proper Vendor ID of the Controller.  ICH8R and ICH9R use different vendor IDs than ICH8.  That could be the reason why you still got BSODs.]

[steve04]

Ok I have tried everything and this does not work.  I made the registry file (ICH10R) and ran it but I have no idea where this iaStor.sys is.  I searched my whole computer (and my XP cd) and it is on neither.  I also went to http://downloadcenter.intel.com/filter_results.aspx?strTypes=all&ProductID=2101&OSFullName=Windows*+XP+Professional&lang=eng&strOSs=44&submit=Go! and downloaded those drivers.  When I install them it says my system does not meet the minimum requirements.  I also did a search for IATA621_CD.EXE and when I ran it , it also says I don't meet the requirements.  My specs are as follows...

Intel Core2Duo E8400 @ 3.0 GHZ
Asus P5Q Pro Mobo
GEForce 9600 GT Video Card
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD7500AAKS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Maxtor 500 GB SATA II drive


Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Jack t.N.]

Please read my first post again and pay more attention to the part labeled "Second Step".  It explains how to extract the file you need without running the installer in the regular sense.

Asus P5Q Pro Mobo

Note that this is an MSI Forum that is concerned with MSI Products (not Asus products).  Please consult the Asus forum instead as you have an Asus mainboard.  That is what the Asus forum is there for.  Any further post regarding problems with procedures on your Asus board will be removed without notice; either by me or by another moderator.  Sorry.

[Jack t.N.]

@Wernox, this is an MSI-Forum concerned with MSI Products.  We do not offer support and help for non-MSI  Products.  That is why I removed your post.

But to answer your question very quickly as it is an easy one:  The Intel ICH6 Chipsatz does not support AHCI to begin with, so there is no point in trying to make it operate in AHCI mode.

--------------

You have a PM!

[Radical_53]

Thanks alot, absolutely great guide. It wasn't enough that I had to re-activate Windows by phone because I forgot to set time and date at the first boot, I also forgot to set the ICH to AHCI. Now it works as supposed again, great help!

[RonNielson]

When the update method described in DJ Ramses post #104 is used, is it still necessary to do the Reg update?  I am not clear about this.

[Jack t.N.]

Just try without and see what happens.  That is the best way to find out.

[RonNielson]

Let me re-phrase the question - When YOU did this and it worked just fine, did YOU to the REG update? Is the REG update a part of the normal driver installation process that will happen automatically?   

No need to create a problem if I don't need to.

[Jack t.N.]

No, i did not have to.  If it does not work in your case, try with the reg file.  If you have further questions, please be so kind an provide more info about your system (Board/Southbridge and operating system are the most important things that you should mention in this case).